Very roughly and tentatively, but good enough perhaps for the purposes of a blog discussion or an introduction to philosophy, one could say that there are two basic metaphysical positions, with a third that is a variation of one of those two.
Month: June 2005
To be read June 27, about five o’clock p.m.
To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob — painted black — of from 150 to 200 persons.
Two mites.
Due to an unmentionable poop incident (click on the link if you’re very brave), FMH Lisa may be needing a new washer. At the very least, she could use a few new cleaning supplies. So if you’ve got a spare dime, consider sending Lisa a Paypal.
Sunday School Lesson 27
Lesson 27: Doctrine and Covenants 101, 103, and 105 For more understanding of these sections, read about Zion’s Camp in a church history.
Sunday School Lesson 26
This is an odd post, to be sure, but so that no one wonders: since there are no scriptures associated with this lesson, I’ve not prepared any study questions for it.
The happiest place on Earth
is Ireland.* Really.
Who Are You?
Or maybe what I really want to know is: Who am I ? Am I a feminist?
Very Important News
A frequent morning ritual for me involves taking a bag of compost to our garden, which is several blocks from our house, on my drive to work. I enjoy this little task.
Would I Have Been the One?
Two weeks ago today I fell off the high step during my aerobics class. Distracted by other thoughts, I miscalculated the height of the step and came down hard on an inverted ankle. It wasn’t pretty. Within seconds my ankle ballooned to three times its normal size and I was immobilized.
Thoughts on the Nature of Christ
We are encouraged to study and ponder the nature of God. Spencer W. Kimball wrote that “to know God, one must be aware of the person and attributes, power and glory of God the Father and God the Christ.” (Faith Precedes the Miracle at 86). Along those lines, this post proposes a theory on the nature of Christ.
Guaranteed Salvation?
A friend just forwarded me this one, a little discussion (rhyming, no less) about the intersection of law practice and exaltation. Some of the theology may be a bit speculative, but the last line is quite accurate.
Dubitante
In the common law world, judges are required to write opinions that justify their decisions. The holdings and reasoning in these opinions then become the law. Generally speaking, there are two sorts of opinions. First, there are opinions offered by the court that state its decision and the reasons for it. Second, there are dissents, which explain why the dissenting judge cannot join the majority’s opinion. There is also, however, an almost completely forgotten, third kind of opinion that is worth thinking about: a dubitante or dubitans.
Book Review: Qualities That Count: Heber J. Grant as Businessman, Missionary, and Apostle
Heber J. Grant’s insomnia may have been the best thing to happen to the study of early twentieth century Church history.
The MTC Diaries
Today is Sister Rachel Frandsen’s twenty-fourth day in the MTC, her fourth Friday and, right about now, probably something like her sixty-eighth meal in the cafeteria.
And a Little Child shall lead them
Yesterday, I had the kids at work.
Mormon Makeover Shows
It seems that for every conceivable social malady, there is an equal and opposite makeover show.
An Experiment in Blog Discussion
One thing usually missing from discussion on this blog and, from what I have seen, all others, is extended, thoughtful discussion.
Game Theory and Mormon History
So let’s think about Zion as a prisoner’s dilemma (PD).
A Most Remarkable Puzzle
My mom just e-mailed me this one. It’s a fun little puzzle, though it took me a little longer than I expected to track down the last few.
Think, Brethren, Think!
Brigham Young has many wonderful tidbits scattered throughout his years as prophet. A friend pointed out the following snippet:
Reading in the Sand
The first thing you need to know about what happened is that it’s not about doubt. This is not the story of how I lost my testimony. I’m as committed to the church and as convinced of the reality of the restoration now as I was before what happened on Friday night. This is a story about reading, and how to do it.
The Seduction of Heather Oman
At first she was basically opposed to the idea.
Sunday School Lesson 25
Lesson 25: Doctrine and Covenants 84:33-44, 121:34-36
Lifestyles of the Middle Class and Boring
I figure that if Nate can go on and on and on about his garden, I might be indulged if I take you on a tour of my house.
Book Review: Being Bugged by Armstrong
I just finished Karen Armstrong’s Islam: A Short History and I was bugged.
John Adams and the Problem of Joseph Smith’s Legal Papers
A few days ago, I had the rare experience of actually having enough time to sit in my study and read.
And now the news you have all been waiting for…
It is time for another garden update.
Working for the Church: Calling or Job?
The discussion below under my post on Kim Clark is evolving toward this topic, which I have wondered about for a long time. During my short stint teaching at the MTC just after my mission, all of the MTC instructors were invited to a meeting with a General Authority. He asked us, “How many of you view your work at the MTC as a calling?” Almost all of the hands in the room were raised.
From the Archives: How Joseph Smith Restored Greek Religion
I’ve been thinking of late about immortality and Mormonism. My question is whether or not you can be a Good Mormon and a Good Homeric Hero. I am unclear on the answer, but Moroni and John Taylor seem to suggest that for at least one Good Mormon being a Homeric Hero was just fine. (more…)
Around a blog
The Coalition of Former T & S Guest-Bloggers has added another strong member to their ranks. Yes, Elisabeth Calvert Smith (she of the famous spiritual securities-law analogy) is now blogging over at M*. Her first post is a clever LDS take on Aerosmith’s “Love in an Elevator.” It’s an interesting enough read that I’m definitely looking forward to reading Elisabeth’s LDS interpretations of “Walk This Way,” “Rag Doll,” and “Dude Looks Like a Lady.”